Calais Turbo

hipshr · 02-10-11, 19:41

I've been lurking around for a while now, and I thought I'd finally share my current project, a RB30 Turbo HR Wagon

The car was my first car, which I purchased as deceased estate in 2005 when I was 16. I drove it as a daily with some basic mods including lowering, exhaust and widened steel wheels. When I graduated uni and got a decent job I decided it was time to pull it off the road for a few mods.

When I pulled it off the road:

I stripped the car in the garage put it on a roll over frame that we had left over from my brothers Charger build.

I then brought a motor and some CRS mounts, got the engine sitting in place and installed the V6 conversions rack and pinion steering. I had a go myself doing a new gearbox tunnel and firewall, but I soon realised I was in over my head, so I sent the car up to Lone Star Body Shop, where it still sits today. Stuart from Lone Star went about fabricating a new firewall, tunnel and dash, and also did some wheel tub mods to fit the 17x9.5’s.

The firewall retains the original HR bead line and chassis number, and relocates the wiper motor under the dash, smoothes out all the bumps and fills holes for a cleaner look.

I’m currently awaiting my column and gauges from the US so we can finish the custom dash.

The plan for the driveline is a 350-400hp RB30 turbo backed by a manualised 4 speed Jatco box, and a 1995 Hilux diff.

The aim for the car is to build something a bit different to the usual V6 or V8 old Holden, set still retain some of the classic styling cues of the car such as the paint scheme and the bench seats.

Build Specs:
• RB30 Turbo Motor
• GT3076R Turbo
• Keas 4 Speed Manualised Auto
• Hilux diff - shortened
• WB Girlock front brakes
• Custom sheet metal dash
• Custom sheet metal firewall
• Custom sheet metal transmission tunnel
• Modified rear wheel tubs
• 17x7 (F), 17x9.5 (R) wheels
• 205/40/17 (F), 275/40/17 (R) tires
• V6 Conversions rear mounted rack
• CRS Engine Mounts
• Ididit collapsible column
• Billet Specialties steering wheel
• Reshaped bench seats
• Original colour scheme in 2-pack with pearl

I hope you like it.
Matt

BT · 02-10-11, 22:59

looks good mate different but good ...

Epitaph · 03-10-11, 05:34

Was just talking about this conversion.. Cant wait to see it done

SIKVLT · 03-10-11, 07:02

Awesome build love the old school wags

hipshr · 04-10-11, 21:33

Firewall in primer

PROGMH · 05-10-11, 17:02

Cool conversion man.

vltnitron · 05-10-11, 22:55

awesome keep up the good work

Agentcrm · 04-12-11, 21:36

any progress?

hipshr · 09-12-11, 10:33

The car is almost ready to come home from Lone Star Body Shop. Just getting a few finishing touches.
Steering column is mounted, dash is welded in.
I'll get some photos up in the next couple of days.

I've also started to build the motor. I've got 3 RB30s in the shed at the moment, each with a variety of good parts. I'm mixing and matching to build something solid. By the end of it I should gave up an A8 block with forged pistons and rods, ported head, mild cam, 550cc injectors, N1 oil pump.

hipshr · 14-12-11, 13:30

Dash complete.
Still undecided how to mount the gauges.
I will most likely do a billet dash fascia the same shape as the original but longer to accommodate 6 Autometer gauges.

Andy-30L · 15-12-11, 12:25

nice project. that chop you did up the top looks phat. will be mad if you can get it sitting like that with a nice fresh reliable rb.

hipshr · 19-12-11, 17:30

So the car is back in my shed now after a long stint at Lone Star.
Firewall, tunnel, dash, steering and mini tubs done.

Had an incident trying to fit the gearbox this arvo and ended up with 3 stitches in my hand. Hopefully it heals by next week for the holidays so I can make some progress.

vlwagz · 19-12-11, 20:40

****ing rad build mate. love it and cant wait to see it finished.

hipshr · 30-12-11, 17:54

---------- Post added 30-12-11 at 19:16 ----------

cookie747 · 30-12-11, 20:54

looking awesome mate!

did you organise the steering column (as in length and that) or did the body shop sort it out for you?

just had a look on there site and it starts to get confusing all the different lengths and set ups to choose from.

xAsh- · 31-12-11, 00:47

I admire the quality and smooth design of the dash. Wheel choice is spot on (Y)

hipshr · 31-12-11, 08:50

cookie747, I measured for the column when the car was in the shop. However Stuart from Lonestar confirmed the measurement was right for the way he was planning to mount it.

Depending on how you want it to poke through the firewall will determine the length. Mine actually stops about an inch from the firewall and we used a piece of tube welded to the firewall that the column sits in.

cookie747 · 22-01-12, 17:51

ok yup nice thanks for that, i think i will do the same when i go to sort out the steering in my torana

any updates????

hipshr · 22-02-12, 20:18

Car is currently up-side-down getting a chassis kit installed and a few other tweaks. Will get pics on the weekend.

Epitaph · 23-02-12, 08:20

absolutely, 100% in love with this car. will be absolute perfection. HR's are my favourite.

Andy-30L · 23-02-12, 08:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epitaph

absolutely, 100% in love with this car. will be absolute perfection. HR's are my favourite.

mad build. Going to be badass cruiser. very much like

hipshr · 27-04-12, 10:03

Progress has been slow with the wagon lately but is still kicking along.
The car is up-side-down on the rotisserie and I am currently fixing a few little spots of rust and preparing for paint on the floor.
The motor is off being rebuilt. I am going a fully forged bottom end, with Spool rods and JE pistons, ACL bearings etc.. Unfortunately I have to keep the motor with stock bolt on gear for rego and engineering, so the turbo setup won’t be anything exciting to begin with. There are big plans for the future though!
I’ve also finished the chassis kit and will be measuring the diff this weekend to get shortened.
Will get pics up when there is something to show.

hipshr · 23-06-12, 21:51

Finally some pics to show!

Chassis kit finished.
KBS Rust Seal underneath.
Diff shortened, rebuilt and has a Truetrac installed all thanks to Con at Diff Technics.

RB26TTVL · 24-06-12, 00:42

What did you do with the mounts? Custom? I've got a VL with a RB26, but old man has an FC ute I;d love to have a play with! RB30 sump fit the HR crossmember? Rack and Pinion?

hipshr · 24-06-12, 08:02

RB26TTVL, the engine mounts are CRS (www.rodshop.com.au).
The standard RB30 sump won't fit the HR. You can buy sumps from CRS if you also use their crossmember and rack and pinion, but as I am using a standard HR crossmember and V6 Conversions rear rack and pinion I decided to fabricate my own.
It took a lot of stuffing around to make a template for the sump! We had the engine in and out about 12 times. We are yet to fabricate it though.

02-10-11, 19:41	#1
hipshr Player Join Date: 18-08-11 Location: NSW, Wollongong Car: RB30ET HR Wagon Trader Rating: (0)	RB30ET HR Wagon I've been lurking around for a while now, and I thought I'd finally share my current project, a RB30 Turbo HR Wagon The car was my first car, which I purchased as deceased estate in 2005 when I was 16. I drove it as a daily with some basic mods including lowering, exhaust and widened steel wheels. When I graduated uni and got a decent job I decided it was time to pull it off the road for a few mods. When I pulled it off the road: I stripped the car in the garage put it on a roll over frame that we had left over from my brothers Charger build. I then brought a motor and some CRS mounts, got the engine sitting in place and installed the V6 conversions rack and pinion steering. I had a go myself doing a new gearbox tunnel and firewall, but I soon realised I was in over my head, so I sent the car up to Lone Star Body Shop, where it still sits today. Stuart from Lone Star went about fabricating a new firewall, tunnel and dash, and also did some wheel tub mods to fit the 17x9.5’s. The firewall retains the original HR bead line and chassis number, and relocates the wiper motor under the dash, smoothes out all the bumps and fills holes for a cleaner look. I’m currently awaiting my column and gauges from the US so we can finish the custom dash. The plan for the driveline is a 350-400hp RB30 turbo backed by a manualised 4 speed Jatco box, and a 1995 Hilux diff. The aim for the car is to build something a bit different to the usual V6 or V8 old Holden, set still retain some of the classic styling cues of the car such as the paint scheme and the bench seats. Build Specs: • RB30 Turbo Motor • GT3076R Turbo • Keas 4 Speed Manualised Auto • Hilux diff - shortened • WB Girlock front brakes • Custom sheet metal dash • Custom sheet metal firewall • Custom sheet metal transmission tunnel • Modified rear wheel tubs • 17x7 (F), 17x9.5 (R) wheels • 205/40/17 (F), 275/40/17 (R) tires • V6 Conversions rear mounted rack • CRS Engine Mounts • Ididit collapsible column • Billet Specialties steering wheel • Reshaped bench seats • Original colour scheme in 2-pack with pearl I hope you like it. Matt

03-10-11, 07:02	#4
SIKVLT why are you reading this? Join Date: 04-04-07 Location: NZ, ... Car: VLT Wagon -VL Royale - VL Calais Trader Rating: (1)	Awesome build love the old school wags .

15-12-11, 12:25	#11
Andy-30L Official Member Join Date: 20-11-06 Location: Sydney, northern beaches Car: 'OG' KE 70 daily / calais LS1 will finish one day :/ Trader Rating: (9)	nice project. that chop you did up the top looks phat. will be mad if you can get it sitting like that with a nice fresh reliable rb. __________________ http://www.calaisturbo.com.au/showth...t=97886&page=3

19-12-11, 20:40	#13
vlwagz Gold Members Join Date: 01-06-06 Location: SA, adelaide Car: VLT berlina wagon Trader Rating: (11)	****ing rad build mate. love it and cant wait to see it finished. __________________ V MY CAR V http://www.calaisturbo.com.au/showthread.php?t=123988

31-12-11, 00:47	#16
xAsh- Official Member Join Date: 12-06-11 Location: NSW, Newcastle Car: SL Turbo, Calais Daily Trader Rating: (4)	I admire the quality and smooth design of the dash. Wheel choice is spot on (Y) __________________ 3D CAD/Production Drawing - PM Sleeper build thread - http://www.calaisturbo.com.au/showthread.php?t=235527

03-10-11, 05:34	#3
Epitaph Y U MAD THO? Join Date: 15-10-02 Location: Melbourne, South Eastern Suburbs Car: BF XR8 Ute Trader Rating: (14)	Was just talking about this conversion.. Cant wait to see it done

04-10-11, 21:33	#5
hipshr Player Join Date: 18-08-11 Location: NSW, Wollongong Car: RB30ET HR Wagon Trader Rating: (0)	Firewall in primer

05-10-11, 17:02	#6
PROGMH Moderator Join Date: 16-10-05 Location: VIC, VIC Car: Trader Rating: (26)	Cool conversion man.

05-10-11, 22:55	#7
vltnitron Gold Members Join Date: 25-11-04 Location: SA, northern Car: VL Turbo Nitron Trader Rating: (30)	awesome keep up the good work

04-12-11, 21:36	#8
Agentcrm Player Join Date: 30-09-07 Location: Adelaide, Western Suburbs Car: 1994 VR Statesman Trader Rating: (0)	any progress?

09-12-11, 10:33	#9
hipshr Player Join Date: 18-08-11 Location: NSW, Wollongong Car: RB30ET HR Wagon Trader Rating: (0)	The car is almost ready to come home from Lone Star Body Shop. Just getting a few finishing touches. Steering column is mounted, dash is welded in. I'll get some photos up in the next couple of days. I've also started to build the motor. I've got 3 RB30s in the shed at the moment, each with a variety of good parts. I'm mixing and matching to build something solid. By the end of it I should gave up an A8 block with forged pistons and rods, ported head, mild cam, 550cc injectors, N1 oil pump.

14-12-11, 13:30	#10
hipshr Player Join Date: 18-08-11 Location: NSW, Wollongong Car: RB30ET HR Wagon Trader Rating: (0)	Dash complete. Still undecided how to mount the gauges. I will most likely do a billet dash fascia the same shape as the original but longer to accommodate 6 Autometer gauges.

19-12-11, 17:30	#12
hipshr Player Join Date: 18-08-11 Location: NSW, Wollongong Car: RB30ET HR Wagon Trader Rating: (0)	So the car is back in my shed now after a long stint at Lone Star. Firewall, tunnel, dash, steering and mini tubs done. Had an incident trying to fit the gearbox this arvo and ended up with 3 stitches in my hand. Hopefully it heals by next week for the holidays so I can make some progress.

30-12-11, 17:54	#14
hipshr Player Join Date: 18-08-11 Location: NSW, Wollongong Car: RB30ET HR Wagon Trader Rating: (0)	---------- Post added 30-12-11 at 19:16 ----------

30-12-11, 20:54	#15
cookie747 Gold Members Join Date: 29-03-06 Location: Melbourne, eastern suburbs Car: Trader Rating: (13)	looking awesome mate! did you organise the steering column (as in length and that) or did the body shop sort it out for you? just had a look on there site and it starts to get confusing all the different lengths and set ups to choose from.

31-12-11, 08:50	#17
hipshr Player Join Date: 18-08-11 Location: NSW, Wollongong Car: RB30ET HR Wagon Trader Rating: (0)	cookie747, I measured for the column when the car was in the shop. However Stuart from Lonestar confirmed the measurement was right for the way he was planning to mount it. Depending on how you want it to poke through the firewall will determine the length. Mine actually stops about an inch from the firewall and we used a piece of tube welded to the firewall that the column sits in.

22-01-12, 17:51	#18
cookie747 Gold Members Join Date: 29-03-06 Location: Melbourne, eastern suburbs Car: Trader Rating: (13)	ok yup nice thanks for that, i think i will do the same when i go to sort out the steering in my torana any updates????

22-02-12, 20:18	#19
hipshr Player Join Date: 18-08-11 Location: NSW, Wollongong Car: RB30ET HR Wagon Trader Rating: (0)	Car is currently up-side-down getting a chassis kit installed and a few other tweaks. Will get pics on the weekend.

23-02-12, 08:20	#20
Epitaph Y U MAD THO? Join Date: 15-10-02 Location: Melbourne, South Eastern Suburbs Car: BF XR8 Ute Trader Rating: (14)	absolutely, 100% in love with this car. will be absolute perfection. HR's are my favourite.

27-04-12, 10:03	#22
hipshr Player Join Date: 18-08-11 Location: NSW, Wollongong Car: RB30ET HR Wagon Trader Rating: (0)	Progress has been slow with the wagon lately but is still kicking along. The car is up-side-down on the rotisserie and I am currently fixing a few little spots of rust and preparing for paint on the floor. The motor is off being rebuilt. I am going a fully forged bottom end, with Spool rods and JE pistons, ACL bearings etc.. Unfortunately I have to keep the motor with stock bolt on gear for rego and engineering, so the turbo setup won’t be anything exciting to begin with. There are big plans for the future though! I’ve also finished the chassis kit and will be measuring the diff this weekend to get shortened. Will get pics up when there is something to show.

23-06-12, 21:51	#23
hipshr Player Join Date: 18-08-11 Location: NSW, Wollongong Car: RB30ET HR Wagon Trader Rating: (0)	Finally some pics to show! Chassis kit finished. KBS Rust Seal underneath. Diff shortened, rebuilt and has a Truetrac installed all thanks to Con at Diff Technics.

24-06-12, 00:42	#24
RB26TTVL nearly there.. Join Date: 17-01-06 Location: VIC, Mt Martha Car: Trader Rating: (1)	What did you do with the mounts? Custom? I've got a VL with a RB26, but old man has an FC ute I;d love to have a play with! RB30 sump fit the HR crossmember? Rack and Pinion?

24-06-12, 08:02	#25
hipshr Player Join Date: 18-08-11 Location: NSW, Wollongong Car: RB30ET HR Wagon Trader Rating: (0)	RB26TTVL, the engine mounts are CRS (www.rodshop.com.au). The standard RB30 sump won't fit the HR. You can buy sumps from CRS if you also use their crossmember and rack and pinion, but as I am using a standard HR crossmember and V6 Conversions rear rack and pinion I decided to fabricate my own. It took a lot of stuffing around to make a template for the sump! We had the engine in and out about 12 times. We are yet to fabricate it though.